24 years of Windows and ready to convert!

txeric · October 1, 2004 8:56PM

Hello Apple community! I have a few questions before I convert to your fine product:

1. When I see an iMac listed at 1.5GHZ cpu speed, does that compare equally to a 1.5GHZ Windows PC speed?

2. Same as #1 but with RAM. Is 512 recommended?

3. Since Windows has so many security issues does this mean I am vulnerable if I buy MS products for Mac, i.e. Office?

4. Which notebook is the best? Does it come with a docking station?

5. Where is the best place to buy? ebay? I would imagine an Apple store has the highest prices?

Thanks!

mcq · October 1, 2004 9:17PM

1. It's hard to quanity an exact speed comparison, since it will be faster at some things, not so fast at others. I will say that it will be >= 1.5 GHz on the PC side.

2. 512 is recommended IMHO, more if you can afford it.

3. No, you shouldn't be vulnerable.

4. Depends on your needs... if you want something really powerful all around, including graphics, then 15" PB, or 17" if you're looking at a desktop replacement. If you value portability, then 12". As for docks, you'll have to look towards third party companies for those.

5. I wouldn't touch eBay unless you can't afford a new PB. Check Macprices, DealMac, etc. for deals from authorized Apple resellers. Amazon, with their $150 rebates on PB as well as the pi/2 (1.57) percent discount is a good deal IMO. If you're not aware of the pi/2 discount, look here on how to get it:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/xs/sharethe...286711-5871364

msmhobbes · October 2, 2004 10:52PM

Hey MCQ... that web link to amazon that then leads to the a9.com site,,, well, all I can say is thanks! 8)

Seems like a very handy and friendly web search engine from the little I've used it so far.

Again, thanks!

As the questions, my take would be:

1. Yes, for the most part faster via Apple [there's more to how fast a computer is than just its processor...

].

2. More RAM = happier computing! I'd get 1 gig, esp. for gaming, photos, etc.

3. Nope, don't believe so - to my so-far limited understanding, the security issues are MAINLY due to the OS and the manner in which the crudware targets the computers themselves, not just the programs themselves.

4. As MCQ says... Depends really upon what you mean by "best", and your intent is going to be with it. And you also might compare via epinions.com, and/or the Apple site itself. There is also another forum that may be of help too: macreviewzone.com Of course, you should also make sure that you scan as many of the posts here on the forum you are at now [appleinsider]...

5. EBay... heck no! Again, visit the sites above, check the apple.com site for deals, and also: http://macreviewzone.com/html/review...tch.shtml#ipod Hey, also, altho' the apple stores may have higher upfront prices, they are also great sources of on-hands demos, tutorials, and so on... a lot of advise, in person, can also be had there.

Most importantly, have fun!

vox barbara · October 4, 2004 3:58AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TXEric

Hello Apple community! I have a few questions before I convert to your fine product:

1. When I see an iMac listed at 1.5GHZ cpu speed, does that compare equally to a 1.5GHZ Windows PC speed?

...

Hello

Ok, granted, i am a bit biased, (but not blind

). I do use a pb 1ghz mainly. A few friends of mine do use windows pc notebooks, some of them the latest an' greatest - from 1.8ghz to 2.6ghz).

In a nutshell: Beside some ludicrous benchtests, in the REAL WORLD my pb is almost always on par, amazing, - sometimes better.

I am not talking about gameing, but this is another story

perhaps this is helpful

benroethig · October 4, 2004 12:13PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TXEric

Hello Apple community! I have a few questions before I convert to your fine product:

Quote:

1. When I see an iMac listed at 1.5GHZ cpu speed, does that compare equally to a 1.5GHZ Windows PC speed?

I'd say the 1.6ghz iMac G5 is roughly comparable to a 2.8ghz P4.

Quote:

2. Same as #1 but with RAM. Is 512 recommended?

I would go with a minimum if 512 if not a gig.

Quote:

3. Since Windows has so many security issues does this mean I am vulnerable if I buy MS products for Mac, i.e. Office?

It has more to do with a crappy operating system than an operating system. Windows is a hackers pardise.

Quote:

4. Which notebook is the best? Does it come with a docking station?

PowerBook G4 which is roughly the eqivilent to a centrino notebook. Apple does not make a desktop replacement machine. docking stations are available through thrid party sources

Quote:

5. Where is the best place to buy? ebay? I would imagine an Apple store has the highest prices?

Apple keeps the pricing pretty uniform. Go with who ever gives you the most free stuff. The apple store will give you free shipping.

Thanks!

bnoyhtuawb · October 4, 2004 2:52PM

Cool: according to the title you have been using WIndows since 1980, that was even before the original PC was out: cool!

Windows without any Virus ...

madmax559 · October 5, 2004 7:52AM

doh ...how did you manage 24 years ?

ive worked & coded using the windows api since 3.0

& that definetly was not there in 1980

bnoyhtuawb · October 5, 2004 4:19PM

Quote:

Originally posted by madmax559

doh ...how did you manage 24 years ?

ive worked & coded using the windows api since 3.0

& that definetly was not there in 1980

Of course not! That's why I made my "jumpy" comment!

The mac barely had it 20th anniversary and WIndows came after that! Nobody can have 24 years of widowns in 2004! I think windows 1.0 appeared in 1985 that makes it a mere 19 years max ... but nobody (repeat nobody) used 1. really. I guess until Windows 3.x there was no real productive work going on under Windows ... these release were mere proof of concept releases comapred to a fully funtional Mac that came along in 1984.

The original poster is just bragging ... he's the ultra-switcher

BTW I found a Windows 1.0 ad on the web which is ultra-hilarious! http://www.goyk.com/flash.asp?path=947 (sorry WIndows Media Player needed!)

rickag · October 6, 2004 1:32PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TXEric

24 years of Windows and ready to convert!

You and maybe AT&T

Wasn't there a song titled " Change Is In The Air"?

Hope springs eternal.

txeric · October 10, 2004 1:17PM

You are correct, I do not have 24 years experience with Windows. I am 40 this year and have been using PCs since I was 16ish.

What I meant to say was that I have been using IBM Compatibles, not Macs, most of my life and am converting to a Mac now.

Sorry for the error, I had no idea it would spur discussion threads!

you are an interesting lot

eric_z · October 10, 2004 4:12PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TXEric

3. Since Windows has so many security issues does this mean I am vulnerable if I buy MS products for Mac, i.e. Office?

In theory you could get infected by a Microsoft Office marcovirus, but since:

Macroviruses can't spread themselves via the internet/mail

It shouldn't be able to effectevely spread through the OSX file system

It will only infect your Office documents

Viruses aren't made any more* (If you find a MS Office macrovirus, send it to a museum where it belongs

)

You really shouldn't worry ... unless you get a hold of an old floppy from 97, marked porn.doc and go and actually buy a USB floppy controller to use it.

*[edit] Trojans and worms are however, but this is of even less concern to you atm as none will work with OSX [/edit]

txeric · October 10, 2004 6:41PM

LOL Eric..I threw my floppies away.

Thanks for the info. I am going to convert to an iMac soon.

Great name by the way. take care

jido · October 11, 2004 11:57AM

I know who is TXEric. He is the guy that bought the last version of Windows, Windows XT 2014. He realised that his computer crashed even before the Start menu appeared, swore at him and proceeded to load all his documents on a Russian server before wiping them off from the disk the first time it was connected to the 'Net.

Then he bought a one-way ticket to 2004 at TimeMachine Corp and looked to buy the best Mac available.

Concerning the laptop: you don't really need a dock, there are already all the connections you need on the side of the computer. Save for an extra battery instead if you are going to travel with it.

davegee · October 12, 2004 8:23AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TXEric

you are an interesting lot

TXEric,

Welcome aboard and you are being FAR too kind in your observations about this motley crew...

I'd add my answers to your questions but most of them have been answered pretty well... But I'll try and cover some of the hardware stuff... CPU speeds do not equate between PowerPC and Intel - heck they don't even equate between AMD and Intel and sometimes not even between Intel and Intel!

As for memory, to quote a great movie 'for lack of a better word greed is good' - my basic rule of thumb - if the machine ships with less than 512MB you should ADD an additional 512 to it - if you know you'll be doing lots of stuff 768 should be the minimum. Other than that all I can recommend is buy the best machine you can afford (even if it hurts a little at the beginning - don't worry you'll get over it and be happier for it in the end)

Welcome aboard!

Dave

pubguy · October 12, 2004 11:17PM

Well, for a reference point as far as speed is concerned, I've got the first generation 15" Titanium PowerBook running at 400 Mhz with 384 MB memory running OS X 10.3.5 Panther.....try running XP on a 400 MHz PC, ain't gonna happen!

I'm happy with my PowerBook, even at 400 MHz. I've got it set as a duplicate of my desktop system. I've been using FileVault to secure my home directory and have successfully used a data cable to connect to my verizon phone for internet access anywhere. On top of that, I've also got Virtual PC 6 installed with Windows 2000. Some of the contract work I do is for clients requiring Microsoft Access development. I can bring my Mac into any company and plug in the network cable and have instant access to the network, printers and internet from both the Mac OS and VPC.

When looking at Apple PowerBooks, realize that only the 15" and 17" PowerBooks contain a PCMCIA slot in them (not the 12" and not the iBooks)...if that is important to you. Personally, I use the slot for a wireless card (gets better range than the builtin card). Also, if you ever consider getting one of those broadband access cards (like Verizon offers), you'll need to have the PCMCIA slot for the card (Apple has drivers for the card on their web site).

As others have said, 512K is the minimum of RAM to get so that the OS doesn't do a lot of memory paging.

For the most part, I don't see a need for a docking station, but you will have to check for 3rd party solutions if you want one. Nice thing about that is that you get to try out your new hardware first while you shop for a docking solution.

Good luck !!!

24 years of Windows and ready to convert!

Comments